[ah. now that a group of very dedicated protesters have busted out some
people from the desert camps, the recriminations begin. the federal
minister ruddock, a cadaverous right-winger, has accused the south
australian state police of not acting earlier enough to aid the federal
police in stopping the protesters -- the camps are on federally
controlled land and paid and policed by federal goons -- and is now
making very strong statements on australians aiding these people who
have been freed. it brings to mind other regimes where people have aided
or hidden those being sought - jews/intellectuals/ethnic minorities
etc - disgraceful. ]
Ruddock warns against helping escapees
April 1 2002
Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock today warned that Australians
harbouring escaped asylum seekers from the Woomera detention centre
could face harsh penalties.
Fourteen asylum seekers remain at large after protesters helped more
than 50 escape from the South Australian centre on Friday.
Mr Ruddock said the escapees could face up to five years in jail if
caught.
"They (Australian citizens) face similar penalties, harbouring is
considered a very serious offence,'' Mr Ruddock told Melbourne radio 3AW.
"I don't know the precise penalty, but I'd imagine it'd be in the same
order as the escapees."
Mr Ruddock also reiterated his criticism of the police handling of the
protest.
He said he believed the police should have moved more quickly against
the protesters, especially as it appeared they had planned to help
inmates escape.
This story was found at:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/04/01/1017206179882.html
[...and...]
[This is the print version of story
http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia/sa/metsa-31mar2002-4.htm]
Posted: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 13:48 ACST
Rann demands Ruddock apologise to SA police
South Australian premier Mike Rann is calling for Federal Immigration
Minister Philip Ruddock to apologise to the state's police force.
Mr Ruddock has been critical of the force for not intervening early
enough in the protests outside the centre this weekend.
That has prompted Mr Rann to renew his call for compensation from the
Federal Government for policing and other services being provided by the
state to the Woomera Detention Centre.
Mr Rann says the criticism came at a time when South Australian police
were having urine and missiles thrown at them at Woomera.
He says police are being diverted from other vital state duties.
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